The TIE Advanced v1, alternatively known as the TIE/ad v1, represented an experimental iteration of the TIE fighter series within the Imperial Navy.
The design of the TIE Advanced v1 drew significant inspiration from the Scimitar, a creation of Republic Sienar Systems'. This starfighter incorporated rudimentary shields, and in contrast to the TIE Advanced x1, the v1's S-foils possessed the capability to retract around the cockpit when grounded, thereby optimizing hangar space utilization. Uncharacteristically for a TIE model, it featured solar collection panels solely on the interior surfaces of its wings, with the exterior surfaces armored to enhance resilience against incoming lateral fire. This configuration led to diminished power generation from the solar panels, necessitating the use of fuel to power the engines instead of relying on the solar reactor, which was relegated to powering weapons, sensors, and other ancillary systems. These engines represented an improvement over the standard engines found in the standard Imperial TIE/ln. The TIE Advanced v1 was equipped with a pair of chin-mounted laser cannons, boasting greater firepower than those of the TIE/ln space superiority starfighter, along with a projectile launcher designed for deploying tracking devices such as the XX-23 S-thread tracker. Distinct from the majority of TIE models, the v1 was furnished with a hyperdrive and basic shielding. In essence, the TIE Advanced v1 stood as an innovative and pioneering design that garnered considerable esteem within the ranks of the Imperial Navy.
The TIE Advanced v1 was publicly presented on Empire Day on the planet of Lothal, which occurred fifteen years following the establishment of the Galactic Empire. During its introduction, it was announced that Sienar Fleet Systems would oversee the production of the TIE Advanced v1 on Lothal. The designated pilot for this craft was Baron Valen Rudor. However, in the immediate aftermath of its unveiling, the TIE Advanced v1 met its destruction at the hands of Kanan Jarrus.
The Grand Inquisitor was granted his own TIE Advanced v1 due to the highly confidential nature of his clandestine missions aimed at hunting down Jedi. This specific TIE model was commandeered by Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan, Ezra Bridger, while they were escaping from the Mustafar system. Subsequently, it was handed over to the rebellion, where Major Capin Harinar's unit conducted a thorough analysis of its systems.
Later, both the Fifth Brother and the Seventh Sister were also observed piloting TIE Advanced v1s during a mission to the planet Takobo with the objective of retrieving a Force-sensitive Ithorian infant. These vessels were destroyed by Garazeb Orrelios and Chopper upon their discovery in their hangar. They promptly received replacements and utilized them to pursue the Phoenix Cell Jedi to the temple situated on Lothal.
The Eighth Brother also employed a TIE Advanced v1 for his journey to Malachor in search of Maul. This vessel was subsequently hijacked by Chopper and then repurposed by Maul to facilitate his escape from the planet.
Following the Battle of Yavin, Lindon Javes piloted a TIE Advanced v1 as the flight leader of Helix Squadron. During the Battle at Fostar Haven, he deployed ion torpedoes to incapacitate his wingmen, with the intention of safeguarding a convoy of refugees hailing from Alderaan. Subsequently, he defected to the rebellion upon the arrival of Echo Squadron.
Star Wars Rebels: Head to Head specifies the length of a TIE Advanced v1 as 3.57 meters, whereas Star Wars Rebels: Beware the Inquisitor! indicates that the Inquisitor's TIE measures 9.2 meters in length. This documentation assumes the former measurement to be accurate. The Star Wars: Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide, which was created before the Expanded Universe's reclassification as Star Wars Legends and draws extensively from that material, includes a reference to the v1 model.